A Call About Bibby

Bob Cooney

The 76ers received an inquiry from the agent for Atlanta Hawks free agent guard Mike Bibby, but a source familiar with the situation said the conversation ''didn't go anywhere.''

The theory seemed to be that the agent was doing his due diligence, checking the market for his client. Bibby was listed on the Hawks' salary cap last season at more than $14.98 million, but is more likely to play the coming season for something in the range of the $5.6 million mid-level exception.

That conceivably could end up being with the Hawks, who have acquired Jamal Crawford ($9.36 million) from the Golden State Warriors and have drafted Wake Forest's Jeff Teague.

The Sixers have equally been doing their homework while they negotiate with Andy Miller, the agent for Andre Miller, their own free agent. The Sixers, according to the source, have been unwilling to accept Andy Miller's desire for a contract of three or four years for Andre Miller, who will turn 34 in March. Andre Miller was listed on the Sixers' cap at slightly more than $10.3 million last season.

For now, the source said, that is why both sides should be pursuing sign-and-trade scenarios.